Registration for National Night Out block parties will begin on Tuesday, August 6th at a kickoff event featuring contests, prizes, free food, bounce houses and more.

The kickoff event will be held from 6 PM to 8 PM at Coggin Park with free hot dogs provided by Bruner Auto Group and free drinks provided by Dr. Pepper.   Wendlee Broadcasting will be on hand providing live music and broadcast of the event.

“I am excited to get things started for our 4th Brown County National Night Out,” said Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley.  “The kickoff on August 6th is a great idea and I hope we have a big turnout.”

Brown County’s first ever “design a sign” contest winners will also be announced at the kickoff in conjunction with this year’s National Night Out.  Brown County students can enter the contest to design this year’s yard signs to help advertise National Night Out.  There is no cost to enter and first prize is $100 cash and a prize basket provided by merchants from Heartland Mall.

Deadline to enter the “design a sign” contest is August 2nd and entry forms can be picked up at Wendlee Broadcasting, Heartland Mall, and the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce.  All entries will be on display at Heartland Mall.   See BrownwoodChamber.org for more contest details.

During the kickoff, residents across Brown County will also have their first chance to register their neighborhoods for a block party to be held during National Night Out on October 1st.

“Remember, this kickoff is a warm up for the ‘real’ National Night Out that will take place on Tuesday, October 1st,” Corley said.  “NNO has been a huge success for our community and I want to thank the Brown County community for making it happen.  I look forward another big night in 2013.  I look forward to seeing everyone on August 6th for the warm up party.”

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

This is the 30th anniversary of National Night Out nationwide and the 4th year for Brown County participation.

This year’s National Night Out is sponsored locally by Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers, WT Harris Company, Guardian EMS, Wal-Mart, 3M Company, ATMOS Energy, Heart of Texas EMS, Oncor, TexasBank, and Weldon Wilson Electric.